The most beautiful square in Texas, and home to the beautiful red poppies: Georgetown. From world-class golf courses in Sun City, to festivals and other fun events throughout the year, this town not only welcomes tourists year-round, but is also the home of over seventy-thousand people. That is a lot of homes! With all of these homes comes the need for renovation from time to time. 50% of homes in the US were built before 1980, which means many of them are due for renovations. A Georgetown home renovation can bring a new look to a home or replenish a classic look.
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Doing a home renovation can bring up many questions, one being: where exactly should you start? Well, read on as we dive into 12 things you need to know about your Georgetown home renovation.
1. Know the end goal of your home renovation.
Before deciding how, what, and where, think about what the end goal of the renovation is. Will you stay in the home for a long time, or will this house be sold in the next one to two years? Researching the neighborhood, and on which renovations are a good return on investment, can help in the long run. Having a specific plan can make the job go much smoother.
2. Plan with your contractor
Bring your contractor in at the time of planning to understand how your design will work within your budget. Having the contractor help you from the get-go means they have the best understanding of what you want and can more easily implement exactly what you want. The right contractors are there to meet your needs and make sure that they can achieve as close to your vision as possible.
3. Expect the renovation to take longer than planned.
It is good to have a timeline set in place; however, there can be factors out of your control that can delay the renovation, such as weather, shipments, and materials. These factors can delay your project for days, or even weeks. In our contracts we specifically list out permit delays, such as material shortages, change orders and weather, so there are no hidden fees later.
4. Using a Key Lockbox
If you are renovating, chances are there will be a lot of people going in and out of your home. It can be a hassle driving back and forth if nobody is home, or if you live far away from the renovation site. Having a key lockbox can ease the stress of your Georgetown home renovation. Bat City Builders provides a key lockbox to our clients when renovating.
5. Materials and Fabrics
Materials and fabrics can sound good on paper, but once you see and touch them, your mind can change about what you want in your home. With the way the world works right now, it's not always possible to see materials or fabrics in person. It's important to build trust with your contractor to know exactly what it is that you're looking for.
6. Downstairs walls are affected by upstairs plumbing.
Renovating that upstairs bathroom can revive a home, but it can be tricky. However, more times than not, the upstairs bathroom is not directly over the downstairs one. With bathrooms in different locations, you've got plumbing in various walls and ceilings, so it's important that you've got an experienced contractor who knows what they're doing to avoid extra issues with your renovation.
7. Think about temporary housing while renovating.
While doing your Georgetown home renovation, there can be a lot of noise and dust in the home that will disturb your everyday routine. Good contractors take your routine into account and typically have ways to control the sound and the dust. However, on larger scale renovations, this can be tricky. Considering temporary housing while the renovations are being done can help you keep your routine.
8. If you are staying during construction, plan for outages.
If you do choose to stay in your home while the renovation is occurring, plan for potential outages. When there is plumbing work being done, the water can be shut off. When the walls are being renovated, the power can go out. Having a plan when these happen can ease your stress later, and make sure that you can meet your basic needs during that time.
9. Doors can be a good way to add an artistic touch.
Doors can be used as a way of expression in your home. Installing sliding doors can allow openness in space while being able to have privacy when needed. They add a feeling of décor within the home without having to put up anything on the walls.
10. Declutter, declutter, declutter.
A study done by the National Association of Professional Organizers in 2015 states that 54% of Americans are overwhelmed by the clutter in their home. Renovating can add to your home, but before adding, it is important to take out anything that is not needed. Depending on the spaces that are being renovated, you will have to clean out everything that is stored in that space. Take that time to dispose of anything that you have not used in a while, and it will make putting everything back a lot easier and quicker.
11. It is YOUR space.
Whether you are renovating your house for personal enjoyment or updating it for a future investment, while you live there it’s still your space. It’s important to be living in a home that you feel comfortable and connected to, regardless of how long you’ll stay.
12. Work with the right home renovation company.
Bat City Builders is a Georgetown home renovation company that is based in Austin, TX! We are general contractors that provide full-scale renovations and custom homes to our clients. Bat City Builders have worked with communities like Sun City and those in the surrounding Austin area since 2019. We know that this renovation is for more than just a house; it is for a home. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service with a team that can transform your house into your dream home. Contact us today because we can make your dream home into a reality.